La Liga champions Barcelona have this week closed a deal to add to the club’s midfield ranks at academy level. This comes amid confirmation of youngster Mahdi El Maimouni putting pen to paper on terms with the Blaugrana.
El Maimouni, for his part, is a 17-year-old midfielder, who has spent recent years developing on the books of Belgian outfit Sporting Charleroi.
The starlet chiefly lines out in a deep-lying role, orchestrating play from the base of midfield with poise and technical quality befitting of a player far beyond his tender years.
Such talents have already seen El Maimouni draw comparisons with Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets, long considered a future star in the making in Belgium.
In turn, it only seems fitting that El Maimouni – who boasts both Belgian and Moroccan citizenship – should continue honing his craft at the famed La Masia academy.
As per a report from Mundo Deportivo:
‘Moroccan footballer Mahdi El Maimouni (17 years old) has joined FC Barcelona from Sporting Charleroi.’
The Camp Nou brass, who have been tracking the player for two years now, are understood to have beaten out competition from the likes of PSV Eindhoven and Newcastle United for El Maimouni’s signature.
Conor Laird – GSNF
